Method for forming radiators



Dec. 18, 1934. J, MASQN ET AL 1,984,938

METHOD FOR FORMING RADIATORS Filed July 24, 1951 1 llllllllllllllhIIMHHllll V W mmvvvn Aqugqqwkpp Patented Dec. 18, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v METHOD FOR FORMING RADIATORS Arthur I. Mason, West Hartford, and William L. Tancred, Hartford, @Donn assignors to The Bush Manufacturing Company,

Hartford,

'2 (Claims.

Our invention relates to a method or process for forming radiators more particularly of that type in which the principal aim is to change the temperature of fluids, and our invention has for its object, among others, the production of radiators of a superior quality in a rapid and eflicient manner.

Steps embodying our improved process, and in the practice of which the object herein set out, as well as others, may be attained, are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a top view of an apparatus by means of which radiating fins are relatively positioned in the final step in their formation for subsequent operations thereon.

Figure 2 is a view in section through the apparatus shown in Figure 1 and in addition thereto means for operating upon the blank from which the fins are formed and. means for supporting and operating the jig in which the fins are deposited are shown.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of said fins.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fragment of a jig in which the fins are deposited.

Figure 5 is a view in section through a portion of a jig illustrating the manner of inserting the tube through the fins relatively positioned in said jig.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, but illustrating the manner of securing the fins in place on a tube.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the manner of annealing the tubes with the fins thereon.

Figure 8 is a detail view illustrating a form into which the tube may be bent after the annealing step in the process has been efiected.

The drawing herein illustrates in a more or less diagrammatic way the several steps embodying our improved method, the numeral 10 illustrating a blank in the form of a strip of sheet metal that is fed by means of rolls 11 from a supply roll 12 to a set of dies 13 operating in connection with openings in a lower die 14 of a punch press for making radiating fins. Such fins 15 are finally produced by the action of cutters 16 that separate the fins successively from the end of the strip 10.

As the strip 10 is fed forward by the rolls 11 its end is pushed into spaces between fingers 1'1 projecting from a base 18, said fingers and base comprising a jig that, in the structure herein shown, is placed on a support 19 of a jig carrying frame 20 slidably mounted in a jig supporting frame 21, the jig carrying frame being operated as by means of pawls 22 which impart a step-by-step movement to said carrying frame to effect deposit of the fins between the fingers 17 in the operation of the punch press as hereinbefore referred to.

Our invention contemplates the deposit of the fins in jigs at a filling station, said fins being preferably although not necessarily arranged in series in the jigs as may be desired, with any suitable number of fins in each series and with such spaces between the series as may be required, the means for accomplishing this pur-' pose not being shown herein as knowledge thereof is not necessary for a complete understanding of the present invention. Reference, however, is made to our co-pending application of Serial Number 532.257. filed April 23, 1931, for such further understanding as may be desired of the apparatus referred to.

After a jig has been filled at the filling station in the manner hereinbefore described such jig is placed upon a table or other support comprising an assembling station and while suitably held thereon a tube 23 with an expander rod 24 therein and a tip 25 removably placed in its end is pushed through the holes in the fins so that said tube will extend through all of the fins in a jig. The tip 25 is now removed and an expander 26 is affixed to the screw threaded end of the rod 24, and as shown in Figure 6 of the drawing. This expander may include a cleaner 27 in the form of a wire brush. The expander and cleaner are now drawn backwardly through the tube in any suitable manner, the expander swelling the tube and causing it to tightly grip the fins to hold them in place.

It will be understood that the jigs are commonly of a width to receive several rows of radiating fins, the strip 10 being of a width to enable several rows of fins to be produced widthwise thereof, notwithstanding that in Figure 1 a strip of a width to produce only a single row of fins is shown. In the former case when a jig is placed upon a table a tube 23 with a rod 24 therein is forced through each of the rows of fins in a'manner that will be readily understood.

After the fins have been secured to the tubes in the manner hereinbefore described such tubes are subjected to an annealing process in order to enable them to be readily bent. These bending operations take place at portions 29 of the tubes located between the series 30 of fins, and as particularly shown in Figure '7. I

As is common in annealing processes, the tubes 2 are heated for the purpose, but it is desirable that a minimum amount oi heat shall be applied to those portions so or the tubes occupied by the fins 15. The heating or the tubes for annealing purposes takes place after the fins have been secured in position in order that such fins may perform an important function in this operation. Heat being applied to the full length or the tubes the fins'act to lreep them cooler at the points occupied by the fins than at the intervals between the series of fins with a consequent result that the tubes are heated to a higher temperature in the spaces between the series of fins and the fins also locate the places at which this higher temperature will take place for annealing purposes. I

In the diagrammatic illustration. shown in Figure 7 the tubes 23 are placed in holders fil that constitute terminals for an electric circuit. This circuit comprises main wires 32--33 leading to the high tension side 34 or" a transformer, the low tension side 35 of said transformer being connected by wires 36-37 with the contact holders 31. A switch 38 is employed for controlling flow of current to the tubes23 after they are placed in the holders.

In this operation, the tubes being clamped in the, holders, the switch 38 is closed,' thereby effecting induction of the electric, current. to the tubes which become quickly heated. Just as soon as the red color denotes a sufiicient heating in the portions 29 the switch is opened'the tubes removed, and plunged into a suitable bath to complete the annealing process.

'When the portions 29 of the tubes are heated to the required temperature it will be seen that the portions of the tubes occupied by the fins have a much fainter red color, thereby denoting that such portions are not heated to so high a temperature as the portions 29.

After this annealing process the tubes are subjectedto a bending operation whereby they are given a shape similar to that shown in Figure d of the drawing or anyother shape that may be desired to suit different conditions or use in various forms of apparatus for changing the temperature of fiuid.

We claim:

l. A method of making radiators that consists in arranging formed fins in spaced relation in series in a holder, with spaces between the series, inserting a tube through openings in said fins, then expanding said tube to secure the fins tightly in position, then applying a current of 9lectricity to said tube to heat it for annealing purposes, cutting ofi the current of electricity before the portions of the tube occupied-by the fins are unduly heated, then subjecting the tube to the action of annealing material, and thenbending the tube in the spaces between the series of fins; i

2. A method of making radiators that consists in arranging radiating fins in spaced relation in series in a holder, with spaces, between the se 'ries, then inserting a tube through openings in said fins, then expanding the tube to secure the fins tightly in position, then introducing a current of electricity to said tube, "then cutting off said current promptly when the portions of the tubes between the series of fins are heated to the proper degree, then subjecting the tube to the series oi fins.

3. A method of making radiators that consists in placing fins in spaced relation in series in a holder with spaces between the series, then inserting a tube with a rod therein through openings in, said fins, then afiixing an expander to said rod and withdrawing the rod with the expander through the tube to expand the tube and thereby tightly secure the fins in position, then subjecting the tube to the actionof an electric current, then promptly cutting off said current immediately upon the tube between the series being heated to the proper degree, then subjecting the tube to the action of annealing material, and then bending the tube at those portions between the seriesof fins.

i. A method of making radiators that consists in arranging formed fins in spaced relation in series in a holder, with spaces between the series and while so held arranging the fins and the tube in intimate relation with-the tube extending through openings in the fins, then expanding the tube while so held to secure the fins tightly in position, then applying a current of electricity to said tube to heat it for annealing purposes, cutting oil the current of electricity before the portions of the tube occupied by the finsare unduly heated, and then subjecting the tube to the action of annealing material, and then bending the tube in the spaces between the series of fins.

5. The method of making radiators that con sists in arranging radiating fins in spaced relation in series in a holder with spaces between the series and while so held in spaced relation as to the fins and series arranging the fins and the tube in intimate relation with the tube extending through openings in the fins, then expanding the tube to secure the fins tightly in position, then introducing a current of electricity to said tube, then cutting ofi said current promptly when the portions of the tubes between the series of fins are heated to the proper degree, then subjecting the tube to the action of annealing material, and then bending the tube at said annealed portions between the series of fins.

d. A method of making radiators that consists in placing fins in spaced relation in series in a holder with spaces between the series and while so held arranging the fins and the tube with a rod therein in intimate relation. with the tube extending through openings in the fins, then amxing an expander to said rod and withdrawing the rod with the expander through the tube to expand the tube and thereby tightly secure the fins in position, then subjecting the tube to the ting ofi said current immediately upon the tube between the series being heated to the proper degree, then subjecting the tube to the action of annealing material, and then bending the tube at those portions between the series of fins.

7. A method of making radiators that consists in arranging formed fins in spaced relation in series in a holder with spaces between the series, inserting a tube through openings in said fins, then expanding said tube to secure the fins tightly in position, then applying a current of electricity to said tube to heat it for annealing purposes, cutting ofi the current of electricity before the portions of the tube occupied by the fins are unduly heated, and then afterwards bending the tube in the spaces between the series of fins.

ARTHUR J. MASON. mirth/i lb. TANCRED. 

